After spending nearly two years on the Pacific coast of Mexico with our sailboat, Groovy, we ventured inland in southern Mexico during 2012-13.  We left Groovy behind in anchorages and at marinas in Zihuatanejo, Huatulco and Marina Chiapas.  On these inland trips we discovered vibrant Spanish colonial cities that were full of color and life.  Better yet, we found it easy to visit lots of thousand-year-old ruins dating from the days when the Zapotecs and Mayans ruled the land.

If Mexico’s geography is unfamiliar to you, check out the location of these wonderful destinations on Mexico Maps.  If you are considering cruising Mexico’s Pacific coast and/or Sea of Cortez, have a look at our Mexico Cruising Guide Part I and Part II.

Places we visited while Groovy was anchored in Zihuatanejo:

• Morelia – Magnificent colonial architecture that reveals Mexico’s deep Spanish rootsPosted: February 27, 2013February, 2013 – A whirlwind tour of Morelia, 4 hours inland from Zihuatanejo, blew us away with its gorgeous cathedral, churches and aqueduct.
• Morelia’s Monarch Butterflies – A refreshing mountain hike surrounded by millions of butterfliesPosted: March 2, 2013February, 2013 – High in the Michoacán mountains we came across a colorful small town celebration and then hiked into the forest to see millions of monarch butterflies.
• Pátzcuaro – A “Magical City” that charmed us with its colorful outdoor marketPosted: March 5, 2013February, 2013 – With Groovy safe at anchor in Zihuatanejo, we explored Pátzcuaro, a designated “Magical City” that has the most vibrant outdoor market we have seen in Mexico to date.

Places we visited while Groovy was at Huatulco’s Marina Chahué:

• Oaxaca – Quirky, Fun, and lots of Gold LeafPosted: February 12, 2012February, 2012 – Energetic and colorful, Oaxaca, Mexico, has fabulous gold leaf decorations in a 16th century cathedral & a huge square filled with activity….
• Oaxaca – A City of Vibrance, Color & SoulPosted: February 18, 2012February, 2012 – 24 hours of vibrant Oaxaca: a concert, a parade, a school anniversary, two cheeky little Chiclet-selling kids and a golden cathedral wedding…
• Oaxaca’s Monte Alban – Mysterious Ancient Zapotec RuinsPosted: February 24, 2012February, 2012 – The Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban are mysterious and alluring, and the beautiful Oaxaca Cultural Center houses unusual Mixtec relics.
• Oaxaca’s “Mitla Tour” – Ancient Zaoptec Ruins, Rugs, Crystalized Waterfalls & TequilaPosted: February 28, 2012February, 2012 – Outside Oaxaca we found 2,000 year old Mitla ruins, mysterious petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua and gorgeous Zapotec weaving…
• Huatulco’s Hagia Sofia (1) – Exotic fruits and tropical flowers in a lush garden oasisPosted: December 2, 2012November, 2012 – Hagia Sofia is a lush 350 acre garden oasis filled with exotic fruit trees and gorgeous tropical flowers that made for a fabulous daytrip from Huatulco.
• Huatulco’s Hagia Sofia (2) – Hammocks, hills, waterfalls and a Oaxacan feastPosted: December 11, 2012November, 2012 – Hiking the orchard filled hills of Hagia Sofia, we were inspired by waterfalls, beautiful views and a pre-Thanksgiving Oaxacan feast cooked in a delightful outdoor kitchen in the woods.

Places we saw while Groovy was at Marina Chiapas (these places can be reached from Huatulco too):

• Chiapas by Bus – A Day of AdventurePosted: March 5, 2012March, 2012 – Bus travel in southern Mexico is an adventure, and our all-day bus ride through Chiapas from Tapachula to San Cristobal was thrilling…
• San Cristobal – Colonial Delights & Spanish ImmersionPosted: March 10, 2012March, 2012 – San Cristóbal is a bustling and pretty colonial town where we took a week of intensive Spanish classes in hopes of conversing better…
• Palenque – Ancient Mayan Ruins and Jungle TerrorPosted: March 20, 2012March, 2012 – A beautiful all-day bus ride delivered us to Palenque, land of evocative, ancient Mayan ruins and spooky thick jungle…
• Agua Azul & Misol-Ha – Waterfall AdventuresPosted: March 30, 2012March, 2012 – We took a daytrip to the gorgeous Palenque area waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha…
• Yaxchilan and Bonampak – Haunting Ruins in the JunglePosted: April 8, 2012March, 2012 – We visited the Mayan ruins of Yaxchilán & Bonampak, an all-day adventure highlighted by wandering through these awe-inspiring ruins…

To see the links to our blog posts from the other regions of Mexico, check out these summary pages (you can also find them under the Mexico menu item in the menu bar at the top):

• Pacific Coast of the Baja (San Diego to Cabo San Lucas)
  
• Sea of Cortez (La Paz to San Carlos)
• Northern mainland Pacific coast (Mazatlan to Manzanillo)
• Southern mainland Pacific coast (Zihuatanejo to Chiapas)

To follow our travels chronologically, see the Route page.